Avocado toast has become a wildly popular food trend in recent years. It’s a simple dish – just mashed avocado spread on toast – but it has taken on a life of its own. So what’s behind the avocado toast craze? Here’s a closer look at how avocado toast became such a phenomenon.
The History of Avocado Toast
While avocado toast seems like a recent trend, the dish has actually been around for decades. Spreading avocado (or other produce) on toast is a longstanding breakfast tradition in many countries.
The specific iteration of “avocado toast” started gaining popularity in the 1990s and early 2000s, showing up on brunch menus in Australia and the western United States. The dish was likely inspired by similar foods like bruschetta and guacamole toast.
Around 2013, avocado toast really took off as an “it food” in urban areas like New York and Los Angeles. Trendy brunch spots and health-conscious cafes started featuring avocado toast on their menus. On social media, pretty pictures of avocado toast started going viral, sparking interest around the world.
Why Did Avocado Toast Get So Popular?
There are several factors that contributed to avocado toast’s incredible success:
The Avocado Obsession
Avocados have been hailed as a superfood over the last decade thanks to their healthy fats and nutrients. Avocado toast gave people an easy way to incorporate this trendy ingredient into their breakfast or brunch routine. The dish is also naturally vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free.
The Brunch Boom
Brunch has exploded in popularity in recent years, especially with millennials. Going out for brunch is now a common weekend activity in many cities. Cafes and restaurants responded by creating more photogenic, crave-worthy brunch menus – and avocado toast was a perfect fit.
The Instagram Factor
As avocado toast appeared on more restaurant menus, foodies started snapping pictures and sharing on Instagram. The simple, colorful dish is perfectly framed for social media. As more people posted their avocado toast photos, it just added fuel to the food craze fire.
The Affordability Factor
While going out to brunch can be expensive, avocado toast is relatively affordable and approachable. It’s one of the cheaper items you can order at many trendy cafes. Those looking for an Instagrammable meal without breaking the bank found their perfect match with avocado toast.
The Backlash
As with anything that becomes wildly popular and ubiquitous, avocado toast sparked somewhat of a cultural backlash. Some of the criticisms of the avocado toast trend include:
- It’s too expensive if ordered at a restaurant – you’re just paying for sliced avocado on toast.
- It’s perceived as an over-the-top, millennial food trend.
- Ordering avocado toast is seen as irresponsible spending for those complaining about cost of living or inability to buy a house.
The criticism came to a head in 2017 when Australian millionaire Tim Gurner famously said that millennials can’t afford houses because they spend too much money on avocado toast. This remark went viral and sparked heated debate about whether avocado toast was an irresponsible splurge or not.
While the backlash went a step too far, it’s true that ordering avocado toast too often at restaurants can be an expensive habit. However, making avocado toast at home is an affordable, healthy breakfast.
The Avocado Toast Trend Today
While the initial avocado toast hype may have died down, the food is still beloved by many and going strong on menus today. Here’s a look at the current state of the avocado toast trend:
- Avocado toast remains popular at cafes and brunch spots, though it’s often priced lower or offered as a side now.
- Fast casual chains like Panera, Le Pain Quotidien, and Pret a Manger have added avocado toast to their permanent menus.
- As plant-based diets grow, avocado toast is still viewed as a hearty, satisfying vegetarian breakfast choice.
- The dish has spawned many creative variations – like avocado toast with eggs, salmon, or unique toppings.
- Recipes and tips for making gourmet avocado toast at home are ubiquitous across food blogs and social media.
While no food trend lasts forever, avocado toast has certainly made its mark on the breakfast scene. The dish will likely remain popular for years to come in hip cafes and home kitchens alike.
The Nutrition Profile of Avocado Toast
So what exactly is in an avocado toast that has made it so popular? Here’s a look at the nutritional benefits:
Avocados
Avocados are the star of the show here. Half an avocado (100 grams) contains:
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 15 grams (23% DV)
- Potassium: 14% DV
- Fiber: 13% DV
- Vitamin C: 15% DV
- Vitamin E: 10% DV
Avocados provide monounsaturated fats that support heart health. They’re also packed with fiber, potassium, vitamins C, E, K, and B-6.
Toast
Toast provides an important base of carbohydrates:
- 1 slice whole wheat toast: 70-80 calories
- Good source of fiber, B vitamins, iron
Whole grain or multigrain toast offers more nutrients than plain white bread. Look for bread with at least 2 grams of fiber per slice.
Overall Nutrition
One order of avocado toast made with 1/2 an avocado and 1 slice of whole wheat toast provides about:
- 230-240 calories
- 10 grams protein
- 19 grams fat
- 12 grams fiber
- 20% DV potassium
- Good source of vitamins C, E, K, folate, and copper
So in moderation, avocado toast can be a nutrient-dense breakfast choice. It provides healthy fats, protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Just be mindful of portion sizes when eating out, as restaurants tend to use generous amounts of avocado.
How to Make Avocado Toast at Home
Making delicious avocado toast at home is simple. Here are some tips:
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado
- 2 slices bread (whole grain, sourdough, etc.)
- 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: Everything bagel seasoning, red pepper flakes, hemp seeds, hot sauce, Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel Seasoning
Directions
- Toast the bread to your desired doneness.
- Scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl. Mash gently with a fork, leaving some chunks.
- Stir in lemon or lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Spread the avocado mixture onto each toast slice.
- Add any desired toppings.
Storage
Avocado toast is best eaten fresh. But if you want to prep it ahead of time:
- Store toasted bread in an airtight container at room temp up to 4 hours.
- Press plastic wrap directly on the exposed avocado flesh before refrigerating to prevent browning. Keeps 2-3 days.
- Assemble when ready to eat.
You can also freeze sliced bread, thaw, and toast as needed.
Creative Avocado Toast Topping Ideas
Once you master the basics, get creative with fun add-ons! Here are some delicious avocado toast topping ideas:
| Topping | Ingredients |
|---|---|
| Egg | Fried, poached or boiled egg |
| Tomato | Cherry tomato, sliced tomato |
| Bacon | Crispy cooked bacon |
| Salmon | Smoked salmon, cooked salmon |
| Cheese | Mozzarella, feta, goat cheese |
| Vegetables | Sliced radish, microgreens, roasted peppers |
| Fruit | Sliced strawberries, mixed berries, mango |
| Nuts and seeds | Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds |
| Herbs | Dill, basil, cilantro |
| Spices | Red pepper flakes, paprika, cumin |
| Spreads | Almond butter, hummus, tapenade |
The options are truly endless for personalizing this breakfast staple into a meal that matches your tastes!
Where to Find the Best Avocado Toast
If you’re looking for some epic, Instagram-worthy avocado toast, here are some top spots to check out:
United States
- Cha Cha Matcha (New York, San Francisco) – Avocado toast bar with diverse toppings
- The Butcher’s Daughter (New York, Los Angeles) – Avocado tartine with almond herb crust
- Farmshop (Los Angeles) – Avocado toast with varietal honeycomb
- Green New American Vegetarian (Phoenix) – Avocado toast with cashew cream cheese
International
- Duck & Waffle (London) – Avocado toast with duck egg
- Sister (Berlin) – Avocado, tomato, burrata cheese on sourdough toast
- Bill’s Cafe (Sydney) – Avocado smash with lime, feta, chili flakes
- Slake Cafe (Singapore) – Avocado toast with poached eggs and hollandaise
Conclusion
While the avocado toast craze has slowed down, it’s still a beloved breakfast and brunch choice for many. The simple yet customizable dish provides nutrition from healthy fats and fiber. When enjoyed in moderation, avocado toast can be part of a balanced diet. So don’t be afraid to jump on the bandwagon and give this food trend a try!